Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 490: To ask the Minister for Finance the proposals the Government has to phase out vehicle registration tax following the European Commission decision to bring in a directive forcing member states to phase out vehicle registration tax over a ten year period; when vehicle registration tax will be phased out here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24722/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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While the European Commission has published a proposal for a directive in relation to car taxes, nothing has been decided. As such, there are no plans at this stage to phase out vehicle registration tax. This Government has prioritised tax reductions on income earned by employees, in preference to other areas, and this policy has helped create record employment levels. In any event, the Commission proposal has yet to be discussed by all member states.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to provide details of payment of stamp duty, including the names of the purchasers and sellers, being made publicly available within a year of the sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24764/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that making public the information about stamp duty in the manner requested by the Deputy would transgress the requirements of taxpayer confidentiality. It is not the practice of the Commissioners to disclose or comment on individual taxpayers' affairs unless it is clear that the Deputy is asking on behalf of or with the consent of the taxpayers concerned or unless authorised to do so by specific legislation, for example, section 1086 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 which allows for the publication, in certain circumstances, of certain categories of tax defaulters.

I have also been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that details relating to stamp duty payments, distinguishing between the various categories of charge, for example, land and property, stocks and shares, etc., are provided in the statistical report which is published annually by the commissioners. The statistical report containing figures for 2004 will be published shortly.